Google partnered with Samsung to create a new version of TalkBack, an accessibility service that provides spoken feedback about what is shown or happening on the screen. TalkBack was launched in the early days of Android, but in 2018, Google included it in the Android Accessibility Suite app along with other services designed to help users with disabilities use their smartphones.
At Galaxy Unpacked, Hiroshi Lockheimer of Google announced the new version of TalkBack, stating that it will be “available first on the Galaxy”. The Galaxy S21 series was the star of the show at the event, so Samsung’s latest flagships are likely to be the first to take advantage of Google’s revamped screen reader service.
“As part of our commitment to making computing accessible to everyone, we collaborated with Samsung to develop a new version of TalkBack, a Google screen reader, available first on the Galaxy. This can really help to shape the future of how everyone interacts with their phones. ”Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior vice president of platforms and ecosystems at Google.
Google followed this announcement with a brief mention of the redesigned TalkBack in a blog post. The company says that “TalkBack has been redesigned so that people who are blind or have trouble viewing their screens can use spoken feedback and gestures to navigate their phones without having to look at the screen” We contacted Google to clarify what features were added to this revamped version of TalkBack and we received the following statement:
“TalkBack is a Google screen reader included with Android devices. Using spoken feedback and gestures, it offers a complete phone experience without the need to look at the screen. Collaborating with the blind and visually impaired communities, this revamped version of TalkBack features many of the main items on users’ wish lists: new more intuitive multi-finger gestures, a unified menu, new reading controls and customizable menus and gestures. ”- Google spokesperson
We have been informed that the new version of TalkBack will arrive on more devices soon.
Google has updated the Android Accessibility Suite app with new features for TalkBack only a few times in the past. In October 2020, the company actually launched new multi-finger gesture options, while in April 2020, the company added a Braille keyboard. We don’t have any screenshots to share showing the redesigned TalkBack, but if you decide to buy a Galaxy S21 or own a recent Galaxy device, you’ll be the first to try the new version.